New York City Firefighter Calendar to Feature First Woman

The Bronx firefighter, who is one of only 41 female firefighters in the New York City Fire Department, will now be the first woman featured in the previously all-male beefcake calendar FDNY Calendar of Heroes.

"They said if I made it in the calendar, I would look like a pinup girl," the 11-year veteran of Engine Co. 60 in the South Bronx told the New York Daily News. "I wasn't going to let anyone tell me I couldn’t do what I wanted to do. I was determined."

Determination has always been big for Mines, who dreamed of being a firefighter from the age of 10, when one of the city's heroes visited her school.

After her family told her she might want to reconsider careers, Mines became an EMT before being promoted to FDNY firefighter in 2003.

"Once I graduated [from the Fire Academy] … they could not stop bragging," she told the Daily News of her family. "I always go above and beyond. When I step foot into the firehouse, I have to be able to tell myself that I'm willing to risk my life to save someone else."

Though Mines admitted to being "a little scared" standing in line with over 100 men to audition for the calendar, the new "Miss March" did it all to inspire the next generation of women.

"I wanted my picture in the calendar so that young girls and young women can see me and know that they can do this job," said Mines, whose calendar shot – in a gray FDNY tank top, red suspenders and equipment belt – is more modest than her male counterparts'.

All proceeds from the sale of the $17.95 calendar go directly to the FDNY Foundation, which provides fire safety education for New York City residents as well as training and education for firefighters.